Districtwide Special Education Paraeducator serving Paul Laurence Dunbar High School 1.0 FTE

Fayette County Public Schools•Lexington, KY

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Special Education Paraeducator will assist certified teachers in implementing instructional practices, transitional activities, maintaining a safe and supportive instructional environment, and communicating and collaborating with teachers and other professionals to ensure special education students obtain quality instruction. This role involves supporting students with special health care needs, implementing behavior plans, and assisting in various learning environments. The paraeducator will also perform routine clerical duties and contribute to the overall educational support of students.

Requirements

Minimum 48 college credit hours or successful completion of the Kentucky Paraeducator Assessment or completion of an Associate's Degree.
Experience working with youth in an organized setting.
Some instructional experience in a classroom environment working with children and parents with special needs, multi-cultural and multi-ethnic backgrounds.
Knowledge of basic subjects taught in District Schools, including arithmetic, grammar, spelling, language, and reading.
Knowledge of safe practices in classroom and playground activities.
Knowledge of interpersonal skills using tact, patience, and courtesy.
Knowledge of basic record-keeping techniques.
Ability to learn child guidance principles and practices.
Ability to communicate and maintain effective relationships with students, parents, staff, and the public, including members of ethnic communities.
Ability to perform routine clerical duties in support of classroom activities.
Ability to print and write legibly.
Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide quickly and accurately.
Ability to understand and follow oral and written directions.
Ability to learn procedures, functions, and limitations of assigned duties.
Ability to communicate effectively both orally and in writing.
Ability to learn to apply and explain policies and procedures related to school and program activities.
Ability to work cooperatively with others.
Ability to monitor, observe, and report students’ behavior according to approved policies and procedures.
Ability to operate instructional and office equipment.
Ability to lift, carry, push, or pull medium weights, up to 50 pounds.

Nice To Haves

Demonstrates the ability to communicate in more than one language or the willingness to learn to communicate in more than one language at the novice level of proficiency.

Responsibilities

Implement strategies and procedures developed by teachers to maintain safe, supportive, and inclusive learning environments.
Implement strategies that promote student independence across all relevant educational settings.
Assist teachers and related service professionals in carrying out health-related procedures for students with special health care needs, including tube feeding, catheterization, toileting, diapering (including lifting), administering medication, feeding, and positioning, and maintain appropriate records.
Keep student data current and report concerns to the teacher.
Effectively implement learning strategies, prompting procedures, and other systematic instructional procedures in school and non-school settings under the guidance of a teacher.
Implement teacher-developed plans or strategies to enhance academic skills.
Assist teachers with community-based instruction based on program and student needs.
Use grammatically correct language with age-appropriate vocabulary, first-person language, appropriate tone of voice, and reinforcement procedures.
Perform routine clerical duties such as preparing instructional materials, setting up student work areas, and operating office equipment, video, computer, adaptive devices, and other materials.
Maintain classroom records, attendance records, and answer phones.
Assist teachers in monitoring student progress regarding academic/cognitive development, social development, and behavior.
Assist teachers and other professionals in maintaining student records required by federal and state law and regulations and district policies.
Implement teacher-developed behavior plans and techniques that adhere to laws, regulations, and procedural safeguards (safe crisis management).
Record data and monitor progress on behavior goals as directed by the teacher.
Monitor and assist students in non-academic learning environments (e.g., lunchrooms, study halls, playgrounds, buses).
Direct group activities of students, assist in lunchroom duties, assist in emergency drills, rec-leisure activities, assemblies, and community participation as assigned.
Oversee students in regular classes, labs, or other activities, providing necessary materials for participation.
Follow teacher instructions and implement team decisions.
Contribute relevant, objective information to teachers and other school professionals for planning, problem-solving, and decision-making.
Maintain confidentiality of individual students, families, and all student educational records.
Perform assigned responsibilities under the supervision of teachers in a professional and ethical manner.
Participate with administrators, consultants, and/or other professionals in designing and implementing professional development activities for paraprofessionals.
Assist in administering diagnostic and other tests and record test information.
Read, understand, and assist in implementing, recording, and monitoring assigned students' IEPs.
Assist students to and from activities, including loading, unloading, and riding the bus, and assist in preparation as required.
Provide students with proper examples (positive attitude, caring attitude, good rapport), emotional support, a friendly attitude, and general guidance.
Create an environment conducive to learning.
Implement guidelines given by the teacher if a student's behavior is hindering instruction.
Conference with the teacher/case manager concerning programs and materials to meet student needs and discuss concerns to be shared with parents.
Assure the health and safety of students by following health and safety practices and regulations, including PBIS and de-escalation techniques.
May require annual training and re-certification in safe crisis management.
Demonstrates the ability to communicate in more than one language or the willingness to learn to communicate in more than one language at the novice level of proficiency.
Performs other duties as assigned.
Maintains regular attendance.